Container for elongated bodies



Feb. 6, 1968 c. E. STUDEIN 3,367,483

CONTAINER FOR ELONGATED BODIES Filed April 21, 1966 H6. 5 FIG. 4

I NVENTOR IO CHARLES E. STUDEN ATTORNEYS United States Patent C) 3,367,483 CONTAINER FOR ELONGATED BODIES Charles E. Studen, RD. 1, Pekin Road, Newbury, Ohio 44065 Filed Apr. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 544,152 7 Claims. ((31. 206-17) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE v A container filled with a naturally resilient resinous foam liner in which longitudinal channels are cut to receive elongated objects. The width of the channels are usually slightly less than the thickness of the object to be held while the depth is approximately equal to the height of the object. The liner is placed in a rigid container and means are provided on either end of the channel for blocking the ends thereof.

This invention relates to a new type of container. More specifically, this invention relates to a container having a resinous foam liner which is used to retain elongated bodies.

Elongated bodies, for example, tools such as drill bits, easy outs, and other items having a rigid configuration such as medical thermometers, pens, pencils, and electronic components such as resistors, inductors, filaments are often kept or shipped in wooden containers having longitudinal channels. These containers may have a felt lining, but generally do not. Some containers have perpendicular holes therein so that one end of the article may be placed in an upright position by mounting one end in the opening in the holder.

When using the wooden container, with or without the felt lining, it is a common problem that the articles have a tendency to fall out when the box is tilted, knocked over or inverted. This is simply the result of the fact that wood is a generally rigid material, and does not grasp the articles. The longitudinal channels which are used to hold the articles are generally of a width greater than the Widest portion of the article in order to facilitate insertion and removal. However, the loose fit permits the article to readily become dislodged and fall out.

The problem further exists in the Wooden containers, With or without the felt lining, that the articles are difficult to remove from the channels. That is, while the articles may have a generally loose fit within the channel, there is not enough space for one to place his finger in the channel and remove the article. The result is that removing this type of thing from a channel is usually an experience trying on both ones nerves and ones fingers.

An alternate type of mount, where the device is mounted in an upright position, the problem is again that it has a natural tendency to fall from the container upon tilting or juggling in any way.

The present invention contemplates a lining for containers which will hold articles of the type mentioned above. The type of article which is specifically contemplated for use with the present invention need only have a generally elongated, substantially rigid body. The present lining for containers enables tools and other such bodies to be held snugly in place and yet be easily removed.

A block of resinous foam having generally rectangular sides with longitudinal channels is used in the present article. The longitudinal channels are usually of a width slightly less than the diameter of the widest part of the article to be inserted therein. The resinous foam consists of a generally resilient type material which is easily compressed and yet will retain its form under normal conditions. In this way an article may be pressed into place at which time the sides of the channel will be compressed. Resultant forces of the foam on the body hold it in place even though the holder may be inverted or inadvertently knocked over.

In addition to the forces of the foam on the article, the natural o'pencelled texture of the resinous foam after the channels have been cut aid in holding articles. As previously discussed, the resinous foam has a natural closed cell structure. However, when the channels are cut in the resinous foam, the cells are severed and a naturally open structure occurs over the entire surface of the two sides and bottom of the different channels. This rough texture of the open cells has a natural tendency to hold the tool or other article within the channel In more technical language, the open cell structure has a higher coeificient of friction than the closed cell structure.

The channels should have a depth which is slightly greater than the diameter of the tool or other article which is to be inserted therein. This is in order that a cover may be placed over the top of the lining without abutting against the article itself.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the devices may be easily removed from the foam lining. Because of the resiliency of the foam, it will only be necessary to exert downward pressure on either end of the body. This action causes that end to be pushed into the lining, thus compressing it. The area around the compressed foam tends to expand in an upward direction thus pushing the other end of the article above the normal surface of the foam in a position where it may be easily grasped and removed.

An advantage which is readily apparent in using a type of foam such as polyethylene or polyurethane is that they have inherent characteristics which lend themselves to such a lining. That is, it is naturally waterproof and therefore, should any liquid be spilled on it, it would resist absorbing the liquid. This would reduce the possibility of rusting the articles should they be made of such a susceptible material because of moisture in the lining. Obviously, this Would not be true of either felt or wood.

The damage due to mechanical shocks would also be substantially reduced because of the use of such a foam lining. The natural resiliency of the foam would absorb nearly all of the shocks so that the articles would not have a tendency to either bend or break upon impact. This is exceedingly important when using the container for such an article such as thermometers which are made of glass and readily breakable.

Specifically, the present invention comprises a block of resinous foam having generally rectangular sides. One of the sides of the block has longitudinal channels therein which are of a width slightly less than a diameter of a given article and a depth slightly greater than the diameter of the article.

FIG. 1 indicates the present invention situated in the box having a partially cut away top thereon.

FIG. 2 is a sectional taken along 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional taken along 33 of FIG. 1.

PEG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the prospective invention.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

In the following discussion the liner will be discussed with respect to a drill bit; however, as mentioned above, it may be used with many other articles.

FIG. 1 shows the drill bit liner 10 positioned between two blocks 11 and 12. All three of these elements are then positioned in a container 13 which is generally plastic, wood, or the like. A clear plastic top 14 is used to cover the liner and the upper portion of the container 13 and simultaneously display any tools therein.

The liner 10 has longitudinal channels 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20. The channels are cut in order that different size drill bits or other tools may fit in them. The channels 16-20 generally pass through the entire length of the liner 10; however, this is not necessarily true and need only be a length slightly greater than the drill bit.

The channels are usually cut into the foam by simply making two side cuts and one bottom out for each channel. By cutting the foam the naturally closed cells are severed, and the result is that an open structure of the cell exists on the interior surfaces of the channels. The open cell structure has a naturally rough texture which has a much higher coefficient of friction than that of the closed cell Structure. As previously discussed, this higher coefficient of friction supplements the forces of the foam on the article contained in the channels to hold them therein so that any tilting, juggling or inversion of the liner will not displace the articles.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view 22 of FIG. 1. This view illustrates the channels 16-20 having drill bits 22-26 therein. It can be appreciated from this illustration that the drill bits have a diameter slightly greater than the width of the channels 16-20. In this way the area directly bordering on the drill bit is compressed and in return holds the drill bit in place. The width of the channels should be such that it is relatively easy to place the tools into the channels and yet narrow enough in order that the tools will be securely compressed in place.

The depth of the channels 16-20 are generally of a dimension approximately equal to the diameter of the various bits resting in the channels. However, it is anticipated that the depth as well as the width of the channels may vary some in order that the bits may either be slightly above the liner top or slightly below it.

The outside container 13 holds the liner 10 snugly in place while a cover 14 fits over the container 13 and the lining 10.

FIG. 3 shows the relative ease with which a drill bit may be removed from the liner 10. The human finger can be pressed against either end of the drill bit 23. As it is pressed downward, the liner 10 is compressed in a given small location beneath the end of the drill bit 23. As this occurs there is a natural tendency of the liner 12 to expand in the area directly bounding on the portion that is compressed. This compression and expansion tends to lift the other end of the drill bit 13 above the surface of the liner 10. It is then extremely easy to merely grasp the end of the drill bit 23 and remove it from the channel 17.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the liner 10 with its end blocks 11 and 12. Also shown in this view are the channels 16-20. The end blocks 11 and 12 are cut in order that they have a length equal to the width of the liner 10. The height of end blocks 11 and 12 correspond to the height of the liner 10 in order that the channels are effectively blocked at each end.

FIG. indicates the second embodiment as the present invention. In this embodiment the lower portion of the liner has been removed and replaced with a second layer of liner having channels at a direction perpendicular to the channels of the top layer. The bottom portion generally designated as has at least one channel 31 with a drill bit 32 positioned therein.

When using the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, it would simply be necessary to remove the top layer of liner 10 with the accompanying channels and drills therein in order to reach the bottom layer of liner 30.

The other aspects of FIG. 5 are the same as those shown in the other embodiment.

While the present invention has been described with respect to tools, it is anticipated that any elongated body may be placed in the lined container, and the scope of the invention should be determined only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container adapted to hold rigid elongated bodies comprising:

a liner in the form of a block of resilient resinous foam having elastic memory and having generally rectangular sides;

longitudinal channels in one side of said block, formed by cutting said block, the interior surface of said channels having an open-celled structure providing a naturally rough surface contacting said bodies whereby the friction between said bodies and said open-celled surfaces aids in retaining the body within the channels;

said channels having a width slightly less than the width of said bodies so that said bodies will be held snugly in place and will not readily be displaced by bumping or inverting said container lining;

means for blocking the ends of said channel; and

means 'for securely maintaining said rneans for blocking the ends of said channels at the terminals of said channels.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the depth of said channels is slightly greater than the width.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein said block is comprised of expanded polyethylene.

4. The container of claim 2 wherein said block is comprised of expanded polyurethane.

5. The container of claim 2 wherein said means for blocking are expanded polyethylene blocks which are positioned at the ends of said liner, the length of said blocks being equal to the width of said liner and the height of said blocks being equal to the height of said liner.

6. The container of claim 5 wherein said means for securely maintaining is an outer container which is provided to hold said blocks against the sides of said liners; said outer container having a bottom portion and walls which surround and snugly hold the sides of said liner and said blocks.

7. The container of claim 6 wherein a second resinous foam liner is provided within said container positioned below said liner; said second liner having channels therein generally perpendicular to the direction of the first channels, the depth of said second channels being slightly greater then the width of said second channels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,980,141 11/1934 MacGregor 206-43 2,228,493 1/1941 Will 206-67 2,792,934 5/1957 Rocchetti 20617 2,943,733 7/1960 Poeschl et al 206-62 3,222,269 12/1965 Scheermesser 5361 3,273,779 9/1966 Mykleby 206-46 FOREIGN PATENTS 854,829 11/1960 Great Britain.

WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., Primary Examiner. 

